Markets

11-Oct-2006 - Nestlé France has outsourced its supply chain transport to Geodis for the next three years,under a contract that guarantees the Switzerland-based agrifood giant guaranteed performancetargets.

Tate & Lyle closes in on Israeli sugar deal

05-Oct-2006 - Tate & Lyle has formed a joint enterprise to build and operate a sugar plant in Israel, a move that will partially replace traditional sugar imports from the European Union.

Weekly Comment

China: a victim of trade wars?

02-Oct-2006 - If the Chinese government gives in to mounting international pressure to revalue its currency, it could spell the end of cheap exports, a move that many anticipate would have a knock-on effect on raw materials costs for the food industry. But China may prove to be a less ready victim of western bullying than some expect.

Nestlé shifts Smarties production

22-Sep-2006 - Major restructuring for Swiss based confectionery company Nestlé has cost 645 jobs in England as the company prepares to move production of some of its core brands.

Danisco announces ingredients shake-up

20-Sep-2006 - Changes to Danisco's ingredients division will lift the EBIT margin for the segment to above 15 per cent, according to the firm's announcement of Q1 2006/07 results.

Real Good Food record real good sugar sales

20-Sep-2006 - Following the acquisition of sugar supplier Napier Brown Foods, UK bakery firm Real Good Food Company (RGFC) has seen turnover increase more than five-fold - despite the impact of the recently introduced EU sugar reform.

Sweet market turns sour for smaller confectioners

20-Sep-2006 - Tough trading conditions in the confectionery industry have forced UK group, Lees Foods, to look at ways of diversifying - highlighting the tactics smaller sweet makers must adopt to ensure their survival in an increasingly competitive market.

Godiva invests in growth

18-Sep-2006 - Confidence in growing sales has led chocolate maker Godiva, to continue its relationship with administrators Accretive Commerce.

Godiva sweetens Campbell sales

14-Sep-2006 - Godiva chocolates have proved sweet for the Campbell Soup Company as the food group noted a significant increase in sales this year - pointing to increased demand for luxury confectionery.

ADM expands European cocoa sector

13-Sep-2006 - Ingredients manufacturer Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has increased its chocolate production in Europe with the takeover of a plant in England.

Thorntons struggles to claw back sales

13-Sep-2006 - UK chocolate maker Thorntons is rolling out a raft of new measures to combat a sales slump that has been dogging the company for the past year.

Danisco eyes 1m tonne sugar harvest

08-Sep-2006 - Danisco has maintained its expectations for this years sugar output, and claims a one million-tonne oharvest is possible.

Cadbury board welcomes new addition

06-Sep-2006 - US based confectionery company Cadbury Schweppes has announced the appointment of a new non-executive director.

Confident Zetar expects growth

06-Sep-2006 - Confectionery firm Zetar has said it is confident of meeting targets this year despite a quiet trading season.

ABF completes African sugar share acquisition

05-Sep-2006 - Associated British Foods' (ABF's) acquisition of Africa's largest sugar producer underlines the fact that the European industry is thinking globally.

Ukrainian confectionery giant steps up production

04-Sep-2006 - Ukraine's largest confectionery company, Corp Roshen, has announced the acquisition of a major Lithuanian factory in an effort to promote its products throughout the European market.

Sweet forecast for CSM despite upcoming sugar sale

30-Aug-2006 - Despite extensive company restructuring and the imminent sale of its sugar division, Netherlands-based ingredients group CSM today announced strong profits in the first half and is optimistic the upward trend will continue.

Olam profits up on higher volumes of coffee, cocoa

29-Aug-2006 - Singapore-based coffee, nuts and cocoa group Olam reported much improved profits for 2006, thanks to significantly higher volumes across all its segments as well as better product pricing.

Scottish toffee saved as company finds a buyer

28-Aug-2006 - The iconic UK Highland Toffee bar has been saved from extinction after the company which produces it, Millar McCowan, was bought out of receivership this week.

Seasonal spending doubles Lindt profits

25-Aug-2006 - A cool spring and late Easter has contributed to booming business at Swiss chocolate maker Lindt, who announced it has more than doubled its profits in the first half.

Tate & Lyle's new venture arm targets health and renewable ingredients

23-Aug-2006 - Food and beverage makers could soon tap into a range of new ingredients with a healthy twist as sugar and sweetener firm Tate & Lyle launches a new venture capital arm to focus on next-generation ingredients.

Confectionery dynasty comes to an end

23-Aug-2006 - John Thornton, the last family member on the board of one of the UK's leading confectionery companies, Thorntons, has announced his resignation, bringing to an end nearly a century of direct family ownership.

Sweet profits for Nestlé despite rising costs

23-Aug-2006 - European confectionery giant Nestle has overcome rising energy costs to report strong profits in the company's first half results announced today, but admits there remains room for improvement in UK brands.